A monarch butterfly made a surprise appearance in a La Sierra backyard citrus tree during orange picking. (Kevin Strain) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Wednesday Gazette: January 21, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! We're already halfway through the week and there's plenty happening around town. Check out our community calendar for local events, and as always, send your community news and story tips to newsroom@raincrossgazette.com.
City Moves Closer to Allowing Delivery Robots on Riverside Streets
Mobility committee unanimously supports regulatory framework for DoorDash's Dot and similar devices.
Henry Greenidge of DoorDash Labs demonstrates the company's autonomous delivery robot Dot in downtown Riverside. The Mobility and Infrastructure Committee unanimously supported a regulatory framework Thursday for the devices. (File photo)
The City is developing rules for sidewalk delivery robots, positioning Riverside as the first Inland Empire city to regulate autonomous delivery technology.
Why it matters: If approved, you could see wheeled robots carrying DoorDash orders on Downtown sidewalks and bike lanes within months — part of the City's broader push to become a smart-city technology hub.
Driving the news: The Mobility and Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously Thursday to direct staff to create a regulatory framework for personal delivery devices.
The framework advances to full City Council for final approval.
What's being proposed:
5 mph speed limit on sidewalks
20 mph in bike lanes
13-mile service radius around Downtown
Remote monitoring by trained operators
The big picture: DoorDash's 350-pound Dot robot uses cameras and sensors to navigate sidewalks, completing "hundreds of thousands of deliveries with zero safety-critical incidents" in California and Arizona cities.
Nearly 700 Riverside merchants already use DoorDash's platform.
Between the lines: City staff noted the robots could identify sidewalk cracks and potholes during operations — adding infrastructure monitoring to delivery services.
What's next: City Council will consider the framework after staff develops full regulations.
Riverside Art Museum's Fourth Fridays Celebrates Underground Music History
Jan. 24 event includes DJ, new additions to '60 Miles East' exhibit, food and beverages.
Attendees view the "60 Miles East: Riverside's Underground Punk Rock, Hardcore & Ska Scene" exhibition during the opening reception. (Courtesy of Riverside Art Museum)
Riverside Art Museum unveils new additions to its "60 Miles East" punk and ska exhibition during an after-hours event Friday.
Why it matters: The exhibition documenting Riverside's underground music scene from the late '80s to early 2000s is expanding.
What's happening: Fourth Fridays takes over the museum Jan. 24, 7-10 p.m., with DJ Mano Man spinning while attendees explore the growing collection.
Co-curators Zach Cordner and Ken Crawford will be in the gallery to discuss the latest additions.
Two Trees Kitchen and local breweries provide food and drinks for purchase.
The details:
$20 admission (free for museum members)
21+ only
Museum at 3425 Mission Inn Ave.
The big picture: The exhibition launched last year and continues adding material from Riverside's punk, hardcore and ska community, capturing bands and artists who shaped the local scene.
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